By RMHP
There’s hardly a better place to spend your summer than Colorado’s Western Slope. From hiking wildflower-filled trails to touring Palisade’s wine country, it’s easy to plan memorable outdoor adventures for your summer weekends… and these five ideas are just the beginning!
Summer is the perfect time to go for a hike in Colorado. The snow will be melted at all but the highest elevations, and early summer means wildflowers will be blooming throughout the mountains.
Exploring your own backyard’s hiking trails is a great way to spend a weekend outside, and these resources will help you find the perfect hike:
Top 5 Scenic Hiking Trails on Colorado’s Western Slope
Best Spring Hiking Destinations in Colorado (great in summer, too)
5 Great Trail Running Spots in Western Colorado
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad a favorite summertime trip for Coloradans and tourists alike, so why not make the trip over a weekend?
Spend time in Durango or Silverton or both. There’s plenty going on throughout the summer.
Even if you live in Grand Junction, there’s something fun about pretending you’re a tourist in your hometown. Stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts or inns in town, spend some time hiking in the Colorado National Monument and other trails, and drop in at some of the many tasty restaurants in town as you explore.
Palisade is a short trip away from Grand Junction, so you can spend a whole weekend there or make a quick and easy day trip. Travel the Fruit and Wine Byway to taste the best of Colorado’s wines.
Visiting ski towns like Aspen and Telluride during the summer will give you a completely different experience compared to your wintertime ski trips.
For starters, plan a whitewater rafting trip down the Roaring Fork River and use Aspen as your basecamp. Or, try hiking from Crested Butte to Aspen. For a bigger adrenaline rush, practice your cliff jumping at the swimming hole at Devil’s Punchbowl.
Aspen isn’t the only ski town worth visiting in the summer. Once you start researching and planning your weekend trips, you’ll be surprised by the many recreation options.